Islam Creator of the Modern Age
4. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
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abuse his royal power by attempting to force his
own faith upon others.”
87
One of the eminent participants in the great inter-
religious assembly held in Baghdad, was
Yazdanbakht, a leader of the Manichean sect who
had come from Persia. He held a disputation with
the Muslim theologians, in which he was utterly
silenced, so impressed was he by Islam’s power of
argument. The Caliph then tried to induce him to
embrace Islam. But Yazdanbakht refused, saying,
“Commander of the Faithful, your advice is heard
and your words have been listened to; but you are
one of those who do not force men to abandon their
religion.” Far from resenting the ill-success of his
efforts, the Caliph furnished him with armed
bodyguards, that he might not be exposed to insult
from the fanatical populace.’
88
Under Islam there is freedom for every thought as
well as respect for every thinking man, irrespective
of the fact that his thinking may be different from
ours. Islam not only grants freedom of thought, but
also respects the upholders of all schools of
thought.
